Lesser White-fronted Goose? Ukraine, January 2022 (1 Viewer)

[Shumi]

Hi All, pls kindly have a look and let me know whether this could be good for a Lesser White-fronted Goose? Unfortunately, these are the only pictures I have. Taken last Monday while I was observing a flock of Red-breasted and White-fronted geese in South-eastern Ukraine.

Lesser white-fronted geese are regular but very rare migrant (and perhaps wintering) species in South-Eastern Ukraine.

Thanks!

 

[aeshna5]

Not the greatest images to work from them. The white blaze doesn't seem extensive enough for an adult Lesser.

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello,
hard picture, at least for me. And after I realized, that artefacts, single picture effects (including a bad angle to judge bill size and shape?), I hoped for others to comment. Thank you Aeshna!

I agree with Aeshna, that this seems better for a Greater WFG:

• Despite showing a quite thick neck for a Greater WFG (but easy explained by posture and variation), I see:
• is there a pale eye-ring present or not? Yes, it looks like the pictures of Lesser WFG proof-pictures at first, but it seems to be an artefact/snow flake or similar ??? after closer inspection
• bill seems to long and not stubby enough on one picture and ok (at least) for a Lesser WFG on the other picture (= small, triangular shaped bill). So, which picture is the one to trust? I think, its the one with the Greater WFG bill, because if the bird looks away from the camera, than bill looks smaller.
• I agree with Aeshna, white blaze is not extensive (=doesnt reaching high up on forehead) and the forehead should be steeper in a Lesser WFG.

Conclusion? Yes, I think its a Greater WFG, too. But I sort the pro-Greater WFG features as real=true and dismiss the pro Lesser WFG features as artefacts and single picture effects. But the comment from Aeshna gave me enough confidence to post my thoughts.

 

[Shumi]

Thank you Aeshna and Alexander for your helpful replies